At approximately 1400 ADT, Region 10 Phone Duty Officer (PDO), Matt Carr, received notification from BPXA of a leak from a 30-inch elevated oil transit line located between Flow Station 1 (FS1) and Flow Station 2 (FS2) within the Eastern Operating Area of the Prudhoe Bay Field. BPXA reported that 4 to 5 bbls (168 - 210 gallons) of crude oil was released to wet tundra below.
The cause of the leak is under investigation. Data collected from smart pig operations in July reported in a preliminary report obtained on Friday, August 4, 2006, revealed 16 anomalies in 12 locations along this line. These anomalies are associated with corrosion related pipeline wall thinning. BPXA began removing insulation from the line and discovered oil staining and the leak during the line stripping process.
Weather conditions are overcast skies with light drizzle and calm winds. Daytime temperature is approximately 50 degrees F.
Upon notification of the discharge EPA Phone Duty Officer (PDO) notified US DOI, US DOT-PSHMA, and ADEC. PDO activated START contractor and directed them to activate BOA for Historic Properties Specialist to conduct survey as per National Programmatic Agreement for protection of cultural resources. START contractor requested to mobilize to spill site and conduct assessment with representatives from Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). OSLTF opened with a ceiling of $50,000.00. START and ADEC representatives to arrive on site Monday, August 7, 2006.
BPXA reports pipeline is being shutdown and ongoing leak is being contained with a fold-a-tank. The transit line has been blocked in with a vacuum on each end. As of 0900 hours this morning, the leak rate from the line was reported as 4 gallons per minute. As of the 1000 hours briefing, oil continues to be released from the line at a rate of 2-3 gallons per minute, but the flow continues to decrease with time.
Response crews have been mobilized to initiate clean-up activities; 24-hour operations are in effect. Shore-seal boom has been deployed to contain the oil to the immediate area and prevent migration to adjacent water bodies. Vacuum trucks mobilized to the scene are recovering crude oil from the portable tank. A rope-mop system is recovering oil from the tundra. Recovered fluids will be stored in a slop oil tank at FS2.
As of about 1400 hours, BPXA reported 29 bbls of oil/water mixture had been recovered from the tundra and 170 bbls of oil had been recovered from the fast-tanks.
Freeze protection and corrosion inhibition operations are underway to protect infrastucture during the shutdown.
All fluids removed from the tundra area will be stored and kept separate from crude oil removed directly from the line.
Further assessment of the transit line is planned. Temporary source control may consist of a sleeve or clamp. There are eleven sleeves and/or clamps available for source control operations.
As a result of the line inspection data and associated release, BPXA is in the process of shutting down the Prudhoe Bay oilfield. The shutdown is expected to be completed within the next 3 to 5 days.
START and ADEC representatives are in the process of conducting a site assessment during the afternoon of August 7, 2006. Information from this assessment will be reported in the next POLREP.
BPXA is planning replacement of all transit lines (22 miles total).
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